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Factfile on Lodge
Name: McCartney's True Blues L.O.L. No. 913
Founded: 1834
W.M. of Lodge: Ivan McKelvey
Location: Lavin, Ballymena, County Antrim
Many lodges across Ireland had benefactors in bygone generations,
who helped them continue and grow, and L.O.L. No. 913 at Lavin,
Ballymena, is a pertinent case in point.
The Lodge was named in honour of George Hume McCartney, landlord
of the Lisanoure estate in Co. Antrim from 1814 until his
death in 1869. He was a member of the Institution prior to
the formation of Lavin Lodge and was a Deputy County Grand
Master of the Institution.
When the Lodge was named in honour of the late Bro. McCartney,
permission was granted by his successor for L.O.L. No. 913
to use the family coat of arms, and this is engraved on the
North Wall of Lavin Orange Hall. Back in the old days it was
common for the McCartney brethren to travel to and from the
Lodge on horseback, and although the last of the family has
passed on, the legacy remains in the name of the Lodge.
Prior to the erection of a hall, Lodge members met in private
homes and barns. Lavin Orange Hall was built in 1878, George
McCartney having given the land for this use to the Lodge.
Among those who worked on the building was Archie Gilmore
from Lavin, whose son William later became a Lodge Treasurer
for a lengthy period and whose grandson was Lodge Chaplain
for a period in the 1950's.
The Lodge would have been accompanied by Lambeg drums in
the past, but in 1924 decided to form a flute band, and this
was originally known as McKane's band because of the numbers
from one family who were members. Today, Lavin Flute Band
is still an excellent musical outfit, and the same dedication
continues today as when young men like Isaac Murphy joined
at the age of nine years in 1923. In time he would be appointed
bandmaster, a post he held from 1935 until his death in November
1985.
Lavin Lodge has gone through bad periods as well as good,
and one particularly lean period was during the Second World
War when the membership declined to only 15. Nowadays, there
are 45 members on the books, and a Lodge ladies committee
also uses the hall.
The surname of Murphy is still a prominent one in the Lodge,
for the secretary is James Murphy BEM, and one of the oldest
members is John Murphy, who has been a member for 54 years.
Davis Wright is the youngest member.
The exact date of issue of warrant 913 is unfortunately not
known, but in 1834 Robert Leslie was recorded as Worshipful
Master, and he may have been the Lodge's first W.M. Whenever
the Hall was later built in 1878 provision was made for living
quarters and the first tenant became Robert Wright and his
family. He was W.M. of the Lodge for 20 years and Worshipful
District Master of Ballymoney District L.O.L. 16 for a similar
period. In 1958 the living quarters became vacant, Henry Murphy
and his family being the last tenants, and the Hall was refurbished
to incorporate the area concerned, a large crowd attending
the re-opening ceremony in July 1960.
Changing times for the brethren are reflected in the Lodge
history, written by James Murphy. Among the interesting facts
he relates are that the first Lodge banner cost £34
when it was purchased in 1947. The present banner cost the
Lodge £1,500, quite some difference!
The Lodge is led by Worshipful Master Ivan McKelvey, with
his deputy David A Hanna, James Murphy BEM is Secretary and
George Wright Treasurer. Alan Brown is Chaplain of L.O.L.
No. 913 and James Walker is Tyler. The committee comprises
J. Robinson, A. Hanna, D. Gage, S. Gage and T. Christie.
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